“Go big or go home” is a saying that I have heard my whole life, and it was one that I kept in mind while I was planning my wedding. I knew that I wanted the magical outdoor “fairytale” wedding, though I just did not know how I was going to complete my mission. I started with a venue, my family farm that has been in the family for over 100 years. I loved the idea of getting married in a place that was unique and special to me and my family. While it took a lot of work, it was so memorable for us to get married in such a special place. After I had picked my venue and style I needed to find the perfect dress, so of ??course, I headed to Norman’s. I had worked there for two years and I had just the dress in mind. I remember a certain dress that came into the store while I was working there and I always joked that it was my “wedding dress” (I didn’t even know my husband at the time). When I went I tried on that dress and it was the one! It is a joke between me and my family now. The next thing that was on my list was to have an arbor for the bridal party to stand under during the ceremony. I knew that I could depend on my father, he has proven time and time again that he is a skilled woodworker. When I asked for a simple arch he went above and beyond to create an arbor! He used wood that he found on the farm and shaped all of the pieces to fit together to create a masterpiece. My mother is an elementary art teacher, so she basically handled many of the other decorations. After much planning, the day of the wedding had finally arrived, and the temperature had reached up to 100 degrees and there was no shade for any of the bridal party or guests to sit under. We may have roasted like marshmallows but it was a day that none of us will be forgetting soon. I praise God every day that I have such a talented family that could contribute to my wedding, it definitely would not have been the same without them.
Photography: Kassi Hillhouse
Wedding Dress: Norman’s Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: Norman’s Bridal
Jewelry: Norman’s Bridal
Veil: Norman’s Bridal
